Noch ein bisschen (The games of 6.23.2006)
Saudi Arabia v. Spain
This game matters little for Spain after their 3-1 victory over Tunisia. The Spanish side will almost surely finish at the top of Group H based on goal differential (+6 at the moment) even if they were to lose against Saudi Arabia and Ukraine were to win against Tunisia. Saudi Arabia is coming off a 4-0 shelling courtesy of the Ukraine which was preceeded by a last minute defensive breakdown against a feisty Tunisian squad. Spain will still play to win even thought they will be most likely resting some key players and protecting those carrying yellow cards.
Resting some of the stars isn't a problem for Spain; they have talent to spare on this team and, unlike many previous World Cup tournaments are finally playing up to their potential. Saudi Arabia has had a disappointing tournament. Although they can statistically still get second place the level of play that they have shown can't be leaving their supporters with much optimism. Saudi Arabia will fall 3-0 to the Spanish machine and be heading home.
Ukraine v. Tunisia
The Ukraine was shamed in their opening 4-0 loss to an overwhelming Spanish side. Since then their stock has improved. Their last match was a convincing 4-0 win against an admittedly vulnerable Saudi Arabia. Tunisia is a surprisingly stubborn squad that stalemated Saudi Arabia and was up 1-0 against Spain before getting shelled in the second half and losing 3-1. This has the potential to be a surprisingly good game. Ukraine is the better team on paper but if there is an upset to happen on the day Tunisia would be the team to serve it. However, the Ukraine is
gaining steam and can't afford a loss if they want to advance. The Ukraine wins a hard fought 3-1 victory and rolls into the second round.
Switzerland v. South Korea
With France, who currently has 2 points, playing the easiest team in the group both Switzerland and South Korea, with 4 points, need a win to insure advancement to the second round. Neither team seems that inspired; the Swiss came away with a less-than-dominating 2-0 win against Togo in their last game and South Korea locked with France in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for South Korea, their cause in the last World Cup was clearly helped a great deal by playing in front of a home crowd. They will stumble against Switzerland and lose 1-0. A French victory
against Togo will send the South Koreans packing and hoping that the World Cup returns to Seoul sometime soon.
Togo v. France
With two unmotivated ties (the latest a 1-1 tie against South Korea) and facing the very real
possibility of not advancing, France has to be feeling the ghost of their 2002 World Cup tournament, where they not only failed to advance but never even found the net. Togo has no chance of advancing after falling 2-0 to the Swiss and theoretically shouldn't give France too much trouble. In fact, this is France's game to win, tie or lose. That shouldn't be too comforting to French supporters; France often arrives at decisions that are certainly not in their
favor. France pulls off a 2-1 victory which leaves more questions than answers.
This game matters little for Spain after their 3-1 victory over Tunisia. The Spanish side will almost surely finish at the top of Group H based on goal differential (+6 at the moment) even if they were to lose against Saudi Arabia and Ukraine were to win against Tunisia. Saudi Arabia is coming off a 4-0 shelling courtesy of the Ukraine which was preceeded by a last minute defensive breakdown against a feisty Tunisian squad. Spain will still play to win even thought they will be most likely resting some key players and protecting those carrying yellow cards.
Resting some of the stars isn't a problem for Spain; they have talent to spare on this team and, unlike many previous World Cup tournaments are finally playing up to their potential. Saudi Arabia has had a disappointing tournament. Although they can statistically still get second place the level of play that they have shown can't be leaving their supporters with much optimism. Saudi Arabia will fall 3-0 to the Spanish machine and be heading home.
Ukraine v. Tunisia
The Ukraine was shamed in their opening 4-0 loss to an overwhelming Spanish side. Since then their stock has improved. Their last match was a convincing 4-0 win against an admittedly vulnerable Saudi Arabia. Tunisia is a surprisingly stubborn squad that stalemated Saudi Arabia and was up 1-0 against Spain before getting shelled in the second half and losing 3-1. This has the potential to be a surprisingly good game. Ukraine is the better team on paper but if there is an upset to happen on the day Tunisia would be the team to serve it. However, the Ukraine is
gaining steam and can't afford a loss if they want to advance. The Ukraine wins a hard fought 3-1 victory and rolls into the second round.
Switzerland v. South Korea
With France, who currently has 2 points, playing the easiest team in the group both Switzerland and South Korea, with 4 points, need a win to insure advancement to the second round. Neither team seems that inspired; the Swiss came away with a less-than-dominating 2-0 win against Togo in their last game and South Korea locked with France in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for South Korea, their cause in the last World Cup was clearly helped a great deal by playing in front of a home crowd. They will stumble against Switzerland and lose 1-0. A French victory
against Togo will send the South Koreans packing and hoping that the World Cup returns to Seoul sometime soon.
Togo v. France
With two unmotivated ties (the latest a 1-1 tie against South Korea) and facing the very real
possibility of not advancing, France has to be feeling the ghost of their 2002 World Cup tournament, where they not only failed to advance but never even found the net. Togo has no chance of advancing after falling 2-0 to the Swiss and theoretically shouldn't give France too much trouble. In fact, this is France's game to win, tie or lose. That shouldn't be too comforting to French supporters; France often arrives at decisions that are certainly not in their
favor. France pulls off a 2-1 victory which leaves more questions than answers.
posted by STB at
5:39 PM
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